Business Practices

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Career Advice From A Farrier Who Was In Your Place

Completing farrier school is an event that sparks transformation: a former student suddenly becomes a professional farrier, and from there, often progresses to being a small business owner. The first few years can bring many challenges, but also insight gained through experience. Stanley Mullen of Selwyn, New Zealand, is familiar with this, having graduated in 2015 from the Kentucky Horseshoeing School in Richmond, Ky.
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How Would You Handle These Ethical Concerns About Footcare?

On day 1 of your footcare business — as an apprentice or out on your own — you will face tough challenge that you must resolve using your code of ethics. Some of these challenges will be simple to overcome, while others will present potential outcomes that will be difficult for you to answer without negative consequences for one party.
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Give Your Practice A Technological Advantage

Farriery is a centuries old profession that hasn’t changed much at its core. However, in this day and age, technology can help take your hoof-care business to the next level. Technology is underutilized in farriery, though. While 67% of farriers carry a smartphone, only 51% use computers in their footcare business, according to the most recent American Farriers Journal Farrier Business Practices Survey.
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Selecting the Best Retirement Plan for Your Future

As a self-employed farrier, enrolling in an employer-sponsored retirement plan isn’t an option. You’re on your own and you want to get serious about saving for retirement by opening a dedicated account, but where do you start? How do you maximize your investment? Is there something better than a standard savings account that offers minimal interest payments? And if you get a late start on retirement savings, can you make up ground somehow?
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Identify Problem Clients and Discharge Them

As your shoeing career pro­gresses, you are going to have clients who raise your blood pressure as soon as you see their name on your schedule. After working hard to build a solid business, getting rid of clients seems to fly in the face of your desire to increase your client base and income. But firing clients just might be what your business and your mental health need.
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Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring Clients

Hi, you’re a farrier, right? Can you come out here and shoe my horses?” Every farrier takes a phone call like this. In an ideal and unrealistic world, clients come prescreened. Instead, it’s necessary to ask questions and gain some knowledge about that horse and client before you say “yes.” Every farrier has certain questions to ask potential clients.
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